Chhath Puja: Large crowd at Mumbai, Delhi railway stations as passengers rush home. Watch video

Huge crowds were seen at railway stations as people in large numbers head back to their hometowns for the forthcoming Chhath Pooja festivals. Footfall at Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus has been seeing significant increase in footfalls over the past few days due to the Diwali and Chhath Pooja festivals. A huge crowd was also seen at railway stations in the national capital Delhi as people residing in the National Captial Region headed for their hometowns mostly in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Chhath Pooja in 2023 will be celebrated from November 17-20 this year. To cater to the festive rush, the Railways have pressed into service 1,700 special trains, making available 26 lakh additional berths, news agency ANI reported.

"Approximately 26 lakh extra berths have been added for the convenience of passengers," the official said. (ANI)


A video shared by news agency PTI showed large crowd at Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus platform as passengers thronged a platform to board the train bound for Raxaul, Bihar.



Higher footfalls could also been seen at Delhi's Anand Vihar railway station in Delhi as passengers leave for their hometowns for Chhath.

At some stations, Railways has set up temporary holding area has been set up within station premises so that passengers can wait comfortably in case of early arrival. Basic facilities like drinking water, mobile toilet have also been provided to the passengers.

Last week, w 40-year-old man died, while two were hospitalised, at Surat railway station in Gujarat following the chaos that occurred when passengers were boarding a Bihar-bound special train for Chhath festival. A huge crowd had gathered as passengers rushed to board the Tapti Ganga Express train from Surat railway station.



Many workers engaged in the diamond and textile industries in Surat travel to their hometowns in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for Chhath puja.